Business Analyst

Job description / Role

Overview of the role:

The purpose of this role is to support the Regional Analysis Team with leasing scenario analysis, budgeting and forecasting activities, administer reports and dashboards.

Individual accountability is a major component relative to the success of this role.

What you will do:

Budget & Forecast:

• Assist in preparation of budget and forecasts for the wider portfolio
• Compile actual vs budget, actual vs forecast variance reports portfolio-wise
• Monitor actual revenue and occupancy achievements and highlight any financial impact to the management for review
• Keep abreast with all ongoing leasing and commercial activity, monitor it accordingly for subsequent integration in forecasts, reports and dashboards
• Analyze all commercial decisions related to contracts, including revenue and occupancy impact, ratios and other KPIs
• Create and administer reports and dashboards as directed, in line with the company’s KPIs and reporting requirements

Leasing Analysis

• Prepare business cases, studies and presentations as part of the deal approval process in order to support senior management review and decision making
• Liaise with various internal departments regarding the distribution of a variety of reports
• Conduct deal and variance analysis objectively and in line with the company’s procedures
• Assess company documentation and reports proposed for senior management review on regular basis
• Conduct research as required, review and understand agreement clauses and verify the viability of the business terms

ERP Activities & Upload

• Cleanse, prepare and upload data onto the preferred ERP software in order to facilitate revenue, sales and occupancy calculations
• Collect, cleanse and interpret data and statistics using quantitative and qualitative methodology to write comprehensive reports that identify opportunity and risk areas
• Monitor monthly retail sales information, investigate and highlight any unanticipated fluctuations to the management for further review
• Track and maintain critical dates including all upcoming expiries and vacancies and evaluate for multi-asset synergies and leasing opportunities

Business Analytics

• Maintain the leasing activity dashboard in Power BI for monthly reporting to senior management
• Identify portfolio trends and provide actionable insights to support leasing, revenue optimization and strategic decision-making
• Develop predictive models and scenario analyses to assess occupancy, revenue and deal performance under varying market conditions
• Deliver ad-hoc analysis and visualizations to address specific management requests and guide commercial decisions

Required skills to be successful:

Behavioural Competencies:

• Ability to adhere to strict deadlines
• Ability to work in a busy environment and display good composure whilst working under pressure with many deliverables
• Agility in dealing with ad-hoc requests
• Strong commercial acumen and business fluency in variance interpretation and commentary
• Excellent communication skills in business English (speaking and writing)

What equips you for the role:

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:

• Finance qualification preferred, such as a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or a related field
• Strong analytical skills, expertise in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Power BI
• Knowledge of using analytical tools and systems
• Knowledge of real estate industry, commercial and retail property management

Minimum Experience:

• The ideal candidate would possess 2-4 years’ experience in retail, commercial, financial or real estate analysis and financial reporting

Job-Specific Skills:

• Proficient YARDI knowledge (property management software) desired but not mandatory
• Excellent understanding of commercial and retail leasing principles
• Well-versed with revenue financial principles and Dubai real estate laws
• Previous experience in preparation of budget strategic packs and forecasts

About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate

The real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across MENA. With high-quality residential, business, retail, tourism, educational and healthcare developments, the master developer caters to the diverse needs of cities and communities in the region.

From origination, conception, development, sales, procurement and construction of mega-projects and the leasing, operation and management of these projects after completion, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has been developing and managing owned landbanks, unlocking the economic potential of the region and contributing to future development for more than 40 years.

Our focus is to enable and invest in meaningful relationships to make our properties the best places to live and work, build additional products and services and enable partnerships to create true value to our customers throughout their entire experience with us.

AFGRE is responsible for master planning of all projects in its portfolio, including two large scale mixed use destinations: Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.

About the Company

Established in the 1930s, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940s and 50s saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.